Exports down, cost of living up SIB reports

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Posted: Wednesday, January 25, 2017. 3:57 p.m. CST.

By BBN Staff: The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), in its latest report published today, indicated that the country’s exports for the month of December 2016 recorded a 10.7 percent of $2.1 million decrease when compared to December 2015.

“With orange concentrate earnings down by almost a half compared to December 2015, the last month of the year saw a drop of $2.8 million in citrus exports, from $6.2 million to $3.4 million. Banana sales contributed minimally to the month’s decline, as exports for that commodity decreased only slightly from $5.7 million to $5.1 million. Sugar, the country’s largest export revenue earner, grew negligibly in comparison to December 2015, from $0.4 million to $0.5 million. In contrast, the category of marine exports performed strongly at the close of the year, as improved shrimp exports prompted a climb in revenues from $3.6 million to $5.7 million for the month,” the SIB’s External Trade Bulletin (ETB) said.

According to SIB, Belize’s exports for the year totaled $401.9 million, down 25.1 percent or $134.7 million dollars from the $536.6 million recorded for 2015.

SIB also reported that imports for the month of December 2016, were down 3.2 percent when compared to the same month the year before. According to the SIB’s ETB, the decrease represented a $5.8 million drop in total imports for the month.

SIB also reported that on average consumer prices were 1.1 percent higher in December 2016 than in December 2015. It also reported inflation of 0.7 percent for 2016.

“In December 2016 the ‘Transport’ index rose by 9.9 percent when compared to December 2015. This index remained the main contributor to the rising inflation rate. Fuel prices rose by 15.5 percent, with Diesel prices recording the highest increase of 35.9 percent in comparison to December 2015. The rise in bus fares in October 2016 continues to impact the overall ‘Transport’ index along with increasing international airfare prices,” SIB’s Consumer Price Index reported.

According to SIB, Orange Walk Town and Belmopan recorded the highest inflation rates for the month at 2.8 and 2.7 percent, respectively. Both municipalities had the largest increases in the overall ‘Transport’ category and in home rental prices, which were largely responsible for their high inflation rates. It added that across the nation, Dangriga and Punta Gorda Town recorded the only decreases in consumer prices for the month. Fuel prices were not as high in Dangriga during the month when compared to the other municipalities, while Punta Gorda recorded one of the smallest increases in the overall ‘Transport’ index.

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